Preview: Ospreys v Perpignan
Perpignan's squad has been hard-hit by injury, with both first-choice centres ruled out for a crucial trip to Wales this weekend in Pool Three.
Perpignan's squad has been hard-hit by injury, with both first-choice centres ruled out for a crucial trip to Wales this weekend in Pool Three.
As a result, the centre berths are filled by wingers, with Farid Sid playing outside Christophe Manas, while Julien Candelon comes into the side to fill the wing spot vacated by Sid.
The Catalans have a 5-2 bench, with only Nicolas Durand and Philip Burger backing up the backs. There are no changes in the Catalans' pack.
The Ospreys are not without their own injury troubles though. flanker Jonathan Thomas was ruled out for six weeks on Tuesday, and captain Ryan Jones shifts to six as a reuslt, with Filo Tiatia moving from the bench to number eight.
Scrum-half Rhodri Wells becomes the third Ospreys scrum-half sidelined, with a shoulder injury, Rhys Webb is at nine. Daniel Biggar is fly-half with James Hook outside him and Andrew Bishop is thirteen, with Tommy Bowe shifting out to the wing to replace Nikki Walker.
The Ospreys also have a 5-2 bench, with only David Bishop and Jonny Vaughton reserve for the backs. Up front, Huw Bennett is recalled at hooker after impressing off the bench last weekend.
“We're all looking forward to our first home game in this season's Heineken Cup and playing in front of our biggest crowd of the season, it's going to be a great afternoon of rugby and a tremendous occasion,” said Ospreys coach Sean Holley.
“Perpignan have had a very good start to the season and will present a very different proposition for us, but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.
“They have a strong squad and are one of the wealthiest clubs in the competition with huge ambitions. Traditionally they are a handful up front, they possess an effective kicking and running game so it will be a real test for us.
“We welcome back Huw Bennett and Filo Tiatia in the pack after strong performances off the bench last week. There is real competition for places in the squad, despite some injuries, and the players selected are going into his match knowing that they have the responsibility of keeping hold of the shirt.
“All the boys are looking forward to coming back to the nest for what is a big game in the context of this Pool, and well aware that a big performance and a win is essential to us if we want to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament.”
Form: Perpignan have indeed started the Top 14 season well, grinding down teams before finishing them off on many occasions, but defeats to Stade Français and Toulouse have shown there are weak spots. The Ospreys took time to get going last week, and have looked shaky up front at times.
Prediction: Perpignan are a shadow of themselves on the road. Ospreys by ten.
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Daniel Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Filo Tiatia, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Ryan Jones (c), 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Andrew Lloyd, 20 Tom Smith, 21 David Bishop, 22 Jonny Vaughton.
Perpignan: 15 Jérôme Porical, 14 Adrien Plante, 13 Farid Sid, 12 Christophe Manas, 11 Julien Candelon, 10 David Mele, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez, 6 Gerrie Britz, 5 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 4 Olivier Olibeau, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Perry Freshwater (c)
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Kisi Pulu, 18 Guillaume Vilaceca, 19 Bertrand Guiry, 20 Viliami Vaki, 21 Nicolas Durand, 22 Philip Burger.
Date: Saturday, October 18
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 15.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: David Rose (England), Kevin Stewart (England)